Process of refining petroleum distillates



Patented Aug. 23, 1932 7 UNITED STATESiFATE-N'lfore- E LEO r.OHEIBOTAREF, or new YORK, N. Y; AssIsNoR TO THE TEXAS,GOMPA1\TY,..OF NEWYORK, n. Y., A oonroaArIon-or DELAWARE PROCESS OF REFINING PETROLEUMDISTILLATES No Drawing.

This invention relates to a process for refining distillates,such forexample as gasoline, kerosene and lubricating oils derived frompetroleum, shale oil and other oils from min- 5 era-l sources. Theinvention further relates to the method of treating the raw distillatesprior to the usual refining treatment, or to the treatment of suchdistillates after the customliminarily wash the gases for the removal ofthe sulphur dioxide and other impurities.

ary refining treatment, to deodorize the distillates and render them ofpleasant smell.

In the usual refining of distillates from petroleum such as gasoline,kerosene and lubricating oils, they are first treated with strongsulphuric acid and after separation of the resultant sludge the oil isneutralized with an alkaline reagent such ascaustic soda or sodiumcarbonate, or in many instances, particularly in the case of the lightfuel distillates, are treated with a solution of litharge in causticsoda, forming sodium plumbite,

and generally termed doctor solution. Usually such refining treatment issufficient to produce a final product which is satisfactory from thestandpoint of odor. In certain instances, however, in case thedistillate has been derived from a crude petroleum relatively rich innitrogen compounds,the distillates, after the above described refiningtreatment, have a repulsive odor which may be due to the presence oforganic bases, such for example as amino compounds.

In order to deodorize such distillates and render the same suitable forgeneral use, I have found that a treatment with a reagent capable offurnishing carbon dioxide is entirely effective.

Although I do not'desire to be restricted to this theory in theinterpretation of the appended claims, the reaction may be interpretedas a neutralization of the organic bases by the carbon dioxide, thusforming the salts of such bases which may be substantially odorless, orwhich may be soluble in the water solution of the reagent and thus beremoved from the Oil.

This treatment of the distillates may be accomplished in several ways.In case it is desired to furnish the necessary carbon dioxide to thedistillate through means of an 50 acid salt of this material, thedistillate may Application filed December 27, 1927. serial No. 242,965.

be treated with a solution, preferably 'saturated of sodium bicarbonatein water; it

mayalso be treated with water saturated with carbon dioxide, or indeedthe dry gas may "be passeddirectly into the distillate. In someinstances it may be desirable to use waste combustion gases rich incarbon dioxide, and in such "caseslt is perhaps preferable to pre- I amaware of the practices of the prior art in which distillates have beenneutralized after acid treatment with sodium carbonate.

' This reagent, however, as well known, has a in 'efiect to a weakercaustic soda. Sodium carbonate, therefore, leaves the distillate in thesame condition of alkalinity as caustic soda or plumbite solution. It istherefore unsuited to accomplish the purposes of my invention.

It has also been suggested to neutralize the distillates with sodiumbicarbonate, which in effect would leave the distillates in a slightlyacid condition due to the presence of free carbon dioxide, and if suchdistillates contain organic bases they will be combined with the carbondioxide and will consequently have a good odor. Such treatment, however,is not feasible in commercial operations, especially in the refining ofgasoline, owing to the large volumes of carbon dioxide which would begiven off during neutralization of the acid and consequent volitizationof the lighter portions of the fuel.

My invention, therefore, is applicable to those distillates which havebeen neutralized after acid treatment with caustic soda, sodiumcarbonate, sodium plumbite, lime and the like, as well as to thetreatment of the raw distillates prior to the customary refining and tonatural gasolines or gasolines derived from natural gas.

Investigation has resulted in the disclosure that my invention is ofvalue in thus cleodor-. izing a number of crude and refined distillatesand rendering them more valuable in the trade.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention, ashereinbefore set.

forth, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof,and therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicatedin the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. The process of deodorizing light distillates derived from petroleumand the like after acid treatment, which distillates have previouslybeen subjected to a refining treatment including a final step oftreating with an alkaline reagent composed solely of aqueous causticsoda, consisting of washing the distillate with an aqueous solution ofsodium bicarbonate.

2. The process of refining light distillates derived from petroleum andthe like, comprising treating the distillate with an acid refiningreagent, neutralizing the distillate with a strong alkaline refiningreagent, and thereafter washing the distillate with an aqueous solutionof sodium bicarbonate, whereby the distillate becomes deodorized.

3. The process of refining light distillates derived from petroleum andthe like, comprising subjecting the distillate to an acid refiningtreatment, sweetening the acid treated distillate with sodium plumbiteand thereafter washing the distillate with an aqueous solution ofbicarbonate to effect deodorization thereof.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 17th day ofDecember,

LEO P. CHEBOTAREF.

warm-care or connecrion.

Patent No. 1,872,679. August 23, 1932.

LEO P. CHEB OTAREF.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,line 29, claim 3, before the word "bicarbonate" insert the word"sodium"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with thiscorrection therein that the same may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of December, A. D. 1932.

M. J. Moore,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

